Although California’s cap-and-trade program was designed to combat climate change, a new analysis predicts it could also provide significant cash — as much as $8 billion in a decade’s time — for state and regional programs.

The analysis warns that annual cap-and-trade revenue beyond 2020 is “highly uncertain,” and offers a possible range from $2 billion in 2018 to almost $7 billion in 2030 — the final year of the program under legislation Gov. Jerry Brown signed in July.

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Dec. 12, 2017, 1:21 p.m.

Briefed bipartisan group of California reps on the fed response to #CAwildfires. @POTUS approved an emergency declaration last Friday & @forestservice is providing air & ground assets including 1,000 personnel. Together, we will help the people of CA restore, rebuild & recover. pic.twitter.com/zn7QdbCZOQ

“It was a very bipartisan-spirited meeting. He clearly understood the significance of the fires and the impacts,” Brownley said after the meeting. She said Pence offered federal assistance and “recognized that recovery was going to be very important and that we want to work together to make sure that we can get the resources needed.”

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Dec. 12, 2017, 11:58 a.m.

As the House and Senate work to reconcile their versions of the tax bill, Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Alpine) is urging negotiators to let Americans continue to deduct their state and local taxes on their federal income tax returns. He also is asking for a fix to continue a credit for post-disaster rebuilding costs.

“We have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to deliver real reprieve from years of heavy-handed, misguided tax policy that has left millions paying more to their government and getting less in return. We must not squander this moment by passing a bill that does not allow all hard-working taxpayers to see relief,” Issa said.

Beauregard says he's ending campaign due to lack of fundraising (Says he's been using his social security checks to fund campaign). Feels confident he's helped move field to the left. Of Campa-Najjar: "There's not really any space between us at this point" ideologically.

State finance officials said Monday it would cost about $2.67 million for a special election on the recall of state Sen. Josh Newman (D-Fullerton), but only $931,000 to put his potential recall on the regular June primary ballot, which will also feature races for governor and congressional seats.

The savings — and the time it took to complete the financial assessment — could give ammunition to Democratic Gov. Jerry Brown to put the recall measure on the primary ballot, possibly improving Newman’s chance of staying in office. The higher turnout expected in the primary might benefit Newman as he tries to fend off the Republican recall drive.

The financial analysis was a new requirement of a law approved this year by the Democrat-controlled Legislature that has slowed the Newman recall. Brown and legislators now have 30 days to review the election cost report.

Dec. 11, 2017, 9:50 a.m.

Assemblyman Sebastian Ridley-Thomas is greeted by activists at the state Capitol.ge. (Rich Pedroncelli / AP)

Assemblymen Sebastian Ridley-Thomas (D-Los Angeles) and Frank Bigelow (R-O’Neals) have agreed to pay fines to the state’s political watchdog agency for violating campaign finance rules, according to documents released Monday.

Ridley-Thomas has agreed to pay $3,500 in fines to the state Fair Political Practices Commission for failing to properly report contributions he received for his 2014 election.

He failed to report a contribution of $7,000 from the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 11, within 10 days as required by campaign finance rules, according to a report by the commission’s enforcement staff. He also failed to disclose contributions of $1,000 from PG&E and $8,200 from the Los Angeles County Firefighters Local 1014 Legislative Fund Committee within 24 hours, the report said.

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Dec. 11, 2017, 9:17 a.m.

State officials have enlisted counter-culture comedian Cheech Marin to help educate Californians that if they want to start a business to grow, distribute or sell marijuana they have to register their business with the state.

Secretary of State Alex Padilla has created an online portal for cannabis firms to register and conduct other business with the state, including registering trademarks and converting non-profit entities into for-profit companies.

California’s Bureau of Cannabis Control will begin issuing licenses to firms for growing and selling cannabis on Jan. 2, but one requirement is that they first register their business with the secretary of state.

Dec. 11, 2017, 8:00 a.m.

As 2018 approaches, the roster of challengers looking to unseat Rep. Dana Rohrabacher is already at a dozen candidates.

Rachel Payne, a former Google executive who now heads up two Southern California-based technology firms, announced Monday that she’s running against the 15-term Republican from Costa Mesa.

In a video posted to her website shortly after she announced, Payne focused on job security and stagnant wages, saying it was important to ensure “everyone has an opportunity to play the game” in a rapidly changing economy.